420 [Senate" 



things in our present management which might be changed for the- 

 better. For instance, he was satisfied a great loss was incurred froi» 

 the imperfect manner in which our seed-grain is put in the ground. 

 A great portion of the seed is sometimes wasted. Dr. Lee had spo- 

 ken of the productive powers of a single kernel of wheat. He (Judge 

 L.) had once raised 37 heads from one kernel — or an equivalent of 

 1637 bushels for one. 



Judge Leland agreed to the remark that had been made relative to 

 the carelessness of farmers. He believed it was the cause of much of 

 the " ill luck " complained of, and he had often thought, that, if the 

 merchant managed no better than the farmer did, he would inevita- 

 bly fail. 



Mr. McYean, of the Assembly, remarked that to secure the pros- 

 perous condition of the farmer, remunerating prices for products, 

 were all important. He thought the reception of many foreign arti- 

 cles tended to depress the prices of agricultural products. 



Mr. McV. spoke of the operation of agricultural societies. They 

 stimulated emulation, &c.; but he thought their management in many 

 respects might be improved. A great deficiency in farming, was the 

 want oi fixed rides, and he thought societies should direct their efforts 

 more to the establishment of facts and principles. The Highland 

 Agricultural Society of Scotland, he learned, had made many useful 

 discoveries and eflPected much good in deciding unsettled points. 



Judge Cheever thought the benefits of agi-icultural societies had 

 been undervalued. It was a great misfortune to the agricultural in- 

 terest, that farmers did not act sufficiently in concert. The people 

 of other classes saw the benefits of association, and they so combined 

 their forces that their action was felt. Their influence on the pol- 

 icy of government was obvious. Now he would arouse farmers to 

 the importance of protecting their interests — he would have them 

 united and firm in claiming of government their rights — the govern- 

 ment should know that their voice is not to be unheeded. 



Some remarks passed between Judge Cheever and Mr. Young (if 

 the reporter is correct in the name,) relative to the importation of 

 flax-seed to this country, and the regulations of the tariff in regard 

 to that article-, of which no notes were taken. 



DISCUSSION ON MANURES. 



Mr. Bement said he looked upon the subject before the meeting 

 as an important one, and it could hardly be brought too frequently 

 before the farmer. In general he thought there was little danger of 

 applying too much manure, yet there were cases where it might be 

 put on to excess. Indian corn would bear a heavy dressing, but the 

 small grains might be injured by an over dose. It may be said to 

 be a law of nature, that the soil which is annually cropped should 

 be replenished, as much as that the cow which is daily milked^ 

 should be daily fed ; excepting in situations where fertilizing mat- 



